System and Dental Implant for Reducing Losses of Dental Implants or Dental Prostheses

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system which comprises a dental implant ( 10 ) and a replacement ring ( 28 ). The dental implant ( 10 ) has an insertion portion for anchoring in a jaw bone. The replacement ring ( 28 ) serves for replacing a subtractively removable annular material region in a coronal region of the insertion portion, the shape of the replacement ring ( 28 ) being inscribable into the shape of the dental implant ( 10 ) in the coronal region at least to some extent such that an inner lateral surface ( 32 ) of the replacement ring ( 28 ) lies within the shape of the dental implant ( 10 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention lies in the field of dentistry and dental implanttechnology and relates to a system having a dental implant, and to adental implant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the treatment of patients with implants to provide a prosthesis orreplacement tooth, it may be the case that already inserted implantshave to be removed from the jaw bone of the patient. The main reasonsfor such losses are inflammation around the implant (so-calledperi-implantitis) and fractures of the implant, the abutment orconnecting screws.

A case of peri-implantitis is characterized by inflammation of the softtissue, associated with a bone recession around the implant. This leadsto the implant surface becoming exposed. Usually, the implant surfacehas a certain degree of roughness, which is produced using specialtreatment methods, for example with sand blasting or acid etching. Thisroughened implant surface is used to provide better bone apposition andbone integration (osseointegration). Exposure of the implant surface inthe oral cavity of the patient increases the susceptibility to bacterialcolonization of the implant surface. This can ultimately lead to theinserted implant needing to be removed again, since up to now there hasbeen no known method for a restoring an implant surface to a germ-freeor bacteria-free state once it has been infected with bacteria.

There are various causes for the development of a case ofperi-implantitis: when attaching a prosthetic tooth to implants, a formof cement is often used between the prosthetic tooth and the abutment. Acomplete removal of surplus cement is often not possible. Remainingcement residues on the implant and/or replacement tooth can trigger anattack of peri-implantitis.

Bone recession can also be a cause of peri-implantitis, since the boneloss can give rise to exposure of the roughened implant surface. Thiscan then be colonized by bacteria. The bacterial contamination can bethe trigger for peri-implantitis.

Causes for bone recession on the implant surface are over stressing thebone during the operation or the implant insertion, and/or too thin abone overlap, since below a certain level of bone strength the bone canreact by receding. Other possible causes of bone decline and thusperi-implantitis are stresses in the implant, which can be transmittedto the bone and can lead to overloading of the bone while the implant ishealing (healing phase) or during the insertion of the prosthetic tooth(prosthetic phase).

It is not only a bacterial colonization of the implant surface used forbone apposition, but also a bacterial colonization of theimplant-abutment connection that can be a cause of peri-implantitis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a system and animplant, with which both the number of implant losses and the number oflosses of the implant-supported prosthesis can be reduced.

This object is achieved by a system according to Claim 1, by a systemaccording to Claim 12 and by a dental implant according to Claim 18.Advantageous embodiments and further developments are specified in thedependent claims.

One of the two systems according to the invention comprises a dentalimplant with an insertion portion for anchoring in a jaw bone, and areplacement ring for replacing a subtractively removable annularmaterial region in a coronal region of the insertion portion. Thereplacement ring has a shape that at least to some extent can beinscribed into the shape of the dental implant in the coronal region, insuch a way that an inner peripheral surface of the replacement ring lieswithin the shape of the dental implant.

The shape of the replacement ring and of the tooth implant correspondsto the respective outer contour of the replacement ring or the dentalimplant, and is defined by the respective surfaces or boundary surfaces.Consequently, due to the shape of the replacement ring and the toothimplant, a respective volume is also defined that corresponds to thevolume of the replacement ring or dental implant.

Due to the fact that in the case of a corresponding superposition in thecoronal region, which involves an imaginary superposition of theabstract shapes but not an actual superposition of the physical objects,the shapes of the replacement ring and the tooth implant overlap suchthat the inner peripheral surface of the replacement ring lies insidethe dental implant, it is possible to subtractively remove the materialof the superposition region of the tooth implant and mount thereplacement ring onto the coronal area of the tooth implant with apositive fit. This enables a contaminated implant surface which isinfected with bacteria to be subtractively removed and replaced by theuncontaminated outer peripheral surface of the replacement ring, onwhich the bone can be deposited or adsorbed (so-called boneaugmentation). The system according to the invention therefore enablesthe treatment of peri-implantitis caused by a bacterial contamination ofthe implant surface, and can also prevent peri-implantitis fromoccurring.

The material removal mentioned can be performed intra-orally on theinserted implant. Unlike in the prior art, in which inserted implantsthat may be infected with bacteria cannot, or not reliably, bedecontaminated of bacteria, so that an implant removal may be required,the implant of the system according to the invention can be left inplace, by replacing the subtractively removed infected surface with a“fresh” non-infected surface of the replacement ring in the jaw of thepatient. This allows the probability, or the number, of implant lossesand losses of the implant-borne prosthesis to be reduced.

The texture of the external surface of the replacement ring preferablycorresponds to the texture of the dental implant surface to be replacedin the coronal region. Usually, dental implants in this region have aroughened surface texture or structure, to enable a betterosseointegration. Special methods for surface treatment are used forthis purpose, such as sand blasting or acid etching. By using anidentical or similar surface texture of the replacement ring it ispossible to establish a condition that corresponds to the originaluncontaminated implant condition, without the need to remove theimplant.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the shape of thereplacement ring can be, at least to some extent, inscribed into theshape of the dental implant in the coronal region in such a way that theinner peripheral surface of the replacement ring lies within the shapeof the dental implant and at the same time the outer peripheral surfaceof the replacement ring lies on or outside the outer peripheral surfaceof the tooth implant. If the above cited peripheral surfaces coincide,the shape of the dental implant is preserved after a portion of materialcorresponding to the replacement ring has been replaced by thereplacement ring. It is also possible to enlarge the shape of the dentalimplant if required. This can be achieved by selecting the dimension ofthe replacement ring such that when it is being inscribed into the shapeof the dental implant, the outer peripheral surface lies outside of theouter peripheral surface of the tooth implant.

In a preferred embodiment the inner peripheral surface of thereplacement ring in some sections is inclined with respect to a centralaxis of the replacement ring and approaches the central axis in thedirection of a coronal side of the replacement ring. The coronal side ofthe replacement ring is the side that is facing the prosthetic toothwhen the replacement ring is mounted on the machined tooth implant. Theopposite side of the replacement ring, which faces away from theprosthetic tooth and points in the direction of the tooth root, orpreviously existing tooth root, is in this description designated as theapical side of the replacement ring. Due to the above inclination, it ispossible to fit the replacement ring on the appropriately subtractivelymachined dental implant in the apical direction and connect it theretowith a force fit. For example, the replacement ring can be fitted bymeans of an auxiliary part, such as a threaded rod, which is screwed tothe implant. For example, the replacement ring can be pressed on using atool with an internal thread, which is moved in the apical direction onthe threaded rod by turning the tool. Alternatively the replacement ringcan also be tapped onto the implant.

In a preferred embodiment the above cited inclination of the innerperipheral surface of the replacement ring towards the central axis isbetween 0.5° and 2.5°, preferably 1.50. An angle of 1.5° enables aparticularly good force-fitting connection between the appropriatelysubtractively machined implant and the replacement ring, for which noadditional screw connection is required.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention theouter peripheral surface of the dental implant in the coronal region atleast in some sections is inclined towards an implant axis andapproaches the implant axis in the direction of a coronal end of theinsertion section. The implant axis, in the same way as the central axisof the replacement ring, is an imaginary straight line. The implant axiscorresponds to a central longitudinal axis of the insertion portion,which is inserted into the jaw bone of the patient. The coronal end ofthe insertion portion is the end that points in the direction of thedental prosthesis. The opposite end of the insertion portion isdesignated as the apical end. The subtractive material removal from theimplant is preferably not performed manually but by machine, for exampleby milling. The above inclination or tapering of the implant in thecoronal direction allows a good milling capability, since the infectedsurface of the inserted implant is easily accessible in the coronal toapical direction. The tapering of the coronal region of the dentalimplant also enables the apposition of a thicker layer of bone, sincethere is more space available around the implant. As described above,superimposing too thin a layer of bone can cause peri-implantitis.Therefore, due to the tapering, which enables the apposition of athicker bone layer, a peri-implantitis infection can be prevented.

In an advantageous embodiment the slope of the peripheral surface of thedental implant in the coronal region in some sections is between 35° and55°, preferably 45°. These angles facilitate a particularly good boneapposition and can therefore provide particularly good protectionagainst peri-implantitis and reduce the risk of implant and prosthesisloss accordingly.

Alternatively or additionally, the slope of the peripheral surface ofthe dental implant in the coronal region is in some sections between 0°and 5°, preferably between 0° and 3°, in particular 1.5°. This meansthat in this region it is possible to uniformly subtractively remove aninfected surface in the direction of the implant axis, or to remove alayer of material with constant thickness in this region. At the sametime, the associated replacement ring with its correspondingly inclinedinner peripheral surface can be mounted with a force fit and positivefit, without requiring a screw connection.

As well as the outer peripheral surface of the dental implant, the outerperipheral surface of the replacement ring can also, at least in somesections, be inclined towards the central axis of the replacement ringand approach the central axis in the direction of the coronal side ofthe replacement ring. This will preserve the advantage cited above of animproved bone apposition with a thicker layer of bone when using thereplacement ring. In addition, a repeated subtractive removal or millingis easily possible, if this were to be necessary.

Corresponding to the inclination of the peripheral surface of the dentalimplant, the inclination of some sections of the outer peripheralsurface of the replacement ring can also be between 35° and 55°,preferably 45°, which provides the same advantages as mentioned above.

In a further development according to the invention, the dental implantcomprises a coronal projection, which extends from the insertion portionin the coronal direction and which is used for receiving an abutmentand/or for receiving a machining unit for the intra-oral subtractivemachining of the dental implant. In contrast to a recess or an innercone, which is used for connecting the dental prosthesis, the coronalprojection can increase the stability of the dental implant since in theregion of the insertion portion, in particular in the coronal region ofthe insertion portion, the dental implant can be made solid. Thisenables stresses on the implant to be avoided, which can occur, forexample, in the case of a screw connection to a non-solid dentalimplant, and which can increase the risk of peri-implantitis bytransmission to the surrounding bone. The coronal projection cantherefore reduce stresses, and the risk of a peri-implantitis infectionand of fracturing of the implant can be reduced. Both of these lead tofewer dental implant and prosthesis losses.

The present invention further comprises a system which is similar to oneof the aforementioned systems according to the invention, but whichinstead of the replacement ring comprises a replacement abutment. Inaddition to the replacement abutment, this system comprises a dentalimplant having an insertion portion for anchoring in a jaw bone, and acoronal projection, which extends from the insertion portion in thecoronal direction and is used for receiving an abutment and/or forreceiving a machining unit for the intra-oral subtractive machining ofthe dental implant. In case of contamination of the dental implantsurface in the coronal region of the insertion portion, a materialregion of the dental implant can be subtractively removed, enabling thecoronal projection to be extended in the apical direction. Thereplacement abutment, which cannot be mounted onto the unextendedcoronal projection of the dental implant with a positive fit in theoriginally inserted state, after dental implant material has beensubtractively removed and thus the projection extended, can now bemounted on the extended coronal projection with a positive fit. Thissystem can be used advantageously to correct aesthetic problems in mildforms of peri-implantitis, or in the case of recession of the softtissue if no bone augmentation occurs and a part of the dental implantis exposed. Exposure of the dental implant, for example in the event ofrecession of the soft tissue and the resulting visibility of themetallic dental implant below the dental prosthesis, gives rise toaesthetic problems. By concealing this visible implant surface, whichbecomes exposed after a subtractive material removal, by means of thereplacement abutment, these aesthetic problems can be corrected.

In one or both of the above mentioned systems according to the invention(either with replacement ring or replacement abutment), the coronalprojection can run in the direction of a prosthesis axis, which isinclined with respect to the implant axis of the insertion portion,preferably at an angle α in the range 0°<α≦45°. In treatment with dentalimplants there is a distinction between an implant axis and a prosthesisaxis, which runs through the centre of the tooth crown. These two axesare often at an angle of 0° to 45° to each other. This inclinationbetween the axes is normally compensated by angled abutments. Since ascrewed-in tooth prosthesis is typically screwed in the direction of theprosthesis axis, in the case of an angled implant axis this will resultin a double screwing operation:—a first screwing operation in thedirection of the implant axis, in which the abutment is attached to theimplant, and a second screwing operation in the direction of theprosthesis axis, in which the tooth replacement is attached to theabutment. Due to the above mentioned incline between the coronalprojection and the insertion portion it is possible both to choose theangle α and to manufacture the implant such that, after the implantinsertion the coronal projection points in the direction of theprosthesis axis of the dental prosthesis to be manufactured. This meansthat the first above mentioned screwing operation can be omitted and thedental prosthesis can be mounted on the implant using only one screwingoperation. In contrast to the screw fitting of an angled abutment withan implant internal connection (i.e. non-solid implant with a recess andwithout coronal projection), in the case of the external implantconnection (i.e. with a coronal projection) no bacteria or other sourcesof contamination can develop inside a first screw connection. Byeliminating the first screw connection, a risk of contaminationassociated therewith, the risk of the incidence of peri-implantitis andconsequently the risk of implant and prosthesis loss are reduced.

In all the above mentioned embodiments the coronal projection ispreferably integrally connected to the insertion portion.

In addition, in all of the above-mentioned embodiments of the systemsaccording to the invention, the coronal projection is preferably conicaland preferably has a cone angle of less than 11°, particularlypreferably a cone angle between 6° and 10° and in particular, a coneangle of 8°. A coronal projection shaped in this way allows a so-calledself-locking tapered connection when mounting a correspondingly shapedabutment, which is stable, bacteria-proof and does not requirecementing. By eliminating the use of cement and by preventing abacterial colonization of the implant-abutment connection, the risk ofimplant and prosthesis losses can be reduced.

In an advantageous embodiment the coronal projection, at least in somesections, has a circular or elliptical cross-section. In contrast to asix-sided or polygonal-shaped cross section, such a cross-section allowsan implant-abutment connection that is free of play, thus preventingloosening of screws and guaranteeing the bacteria-proof quality of theconnection, which can contribute to a reduction in implant andprosthesis losses.

In an advantageous embodiment of the systems according to the invention,the tooth implant comprises a shoulder at the coronal end of theinsertion portion. This means there is a space in the coronal regionbetween the side peripheral surface of the implant, to which the boneabuts, and the implant connection for the dental prosthesis, such as theaforementioned coronal projection. Introducing this space (so-calledplatform switching) between the implant connection site and thesurrounding tissue can prevent any bacterial colonization at the implantconnection site from causing a peri-implantitis infection. The shoulderalso makes it possible to ensure that enough space is available formaterial removal.

In the case of the above-mentioned systems according to the invention,the replacement ring or the replacement abutment can have an internalthread. This means that it is possible to screw the replacement ring orreplacement abutment onto the dental implant by way of a correspondingexternal thread formed on the inserted dental implant. The externalthread can be produced, for example, by cutting a thread in the coronalregion. Before such a thread is cut, the dental implant can have beensubtractively machined, for example by means of a milling process.

Finally, the system according to the invention can also comprise adevice for intra-oral subtractive machining of the inserted dentalimplant, wherein the device comprises the following:

-   -   a connection with which the device inside the oral cavity of a        patient can be connected to the implant, and    -   a subtractive machining unit, in particular a milling cutter,        with which dental implant material can be removed from the        surface of the coronal region.

The subtractive machining unit enables a manual grinding or polishing ofthe infected implant surface to be avoided, which is also difficult todo and not very reliable. For example, the device can include a millingcutter, which can be clamped in a dental contra-angle handpiece, forwhich purpose a guide part can be placed on top of the abutment. Tomatch such a guide part, the milling cutter can comprise an innerrecess. Preferably, the shape of the milling cutter can conform to thegeometry of the subsequently mounted replacement ring, or conform to thegeometry that is required for a positive-fitting attachment of theabutment. Due to the removal of the dental implant material, the exactshape can be created on which the replacement ring or the replacementabutment can be attached with a positive fit.

In addition to the previously mentioned systems according to theinvention, the present invention also comprises a dental implant with aninsertion portion extending along an implant axis, and a coronalprojection for receiving an abutment and/or receiving a machining unitfor the intra-oral subtractive machining of the insertion portion. Thecoronal projection extends from the insertion portion in the coronaldirection along a prosthesis axis, wherein the prosthesis axis and theimplant axis are inclined towards each other, preferably inclinedtowards each other at an angle α in the range 0°<α≦45°. As previouslydescribed, in the implant treatment an implant with the required anglefor the individual case can be used, so that the dental prosthesis canbe attached to the implant with only one screwing operation in thedirection of the prosthesis axis. Because such an implant dispenses withthe use of an angled abutment, which is screwed into the implant in thedirection of the implant axis before the attachment of the dentalprosthesis, it is possible to prefabricate the dental prosthesis on theabutment and to attach it to the implant at a later time with only onescrewing operation. Because the attachment of the dental prosthesis tothe abutment can be performed outside of the oral cavity of the patientand at a time which is independent of the treatment session with thepatient, cement surpluses and/or other types of impurities can beavoided when inserting the dental prosthesis.

Moreover, due to the absence of a first connection, any impuritiesassociated with this between the implant and an unnecessary angledabutment can be avoided.

Due to the coronal projection, by means of which an externalimplant-abutment connection can be produced, the implant can be madesolid in the coronal region and thus stable, so that a tension-inducedperi-implantitis infection and implant fractures can be prevented.

Accordingly this dental implant according to the invention also solvesthe problem of reducing the risk of losses of implants and prosthetics.

It is explicitly pointed out that the last named dental implantaccording to the invention can also comprise all the features andproperties of those dental implants that have been described inconnection with the aforementioned systems according to the invention.

The present invention also comprises a method comprising a subtractivemachining of an inserted dental implant and an attachment of areplacement ring or a replacement abutment to the subtractively machinedinserted dental implant.

In each of the parts of the replacement ring, the replacement abutmentand the dental implant can be such parts as have been described inconnection with the aforementioned systems according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, thesubtractive machining comprises a milling operation.

The method according to the invention can also comprise forming a screwthread on the dental implant, for example by cutting a thread. Thethread can be formed in the coronal region.

The attachment of the replacement ring or the replacement abutment tothe inserted, subtractively machined dental implant can be performedusing one or more of the following steps:

-   -   tapping the replacement ring or the replacement abutment onto        the dental implant,    -   screwing using an internal thread of the replacement ring or        replacement abutment and using an external thread of the dental        implant,    -   adhesive bonding, for example with cement or bone cement,    -   intra-oral welding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional advantages and features of the invention are obtained fromthe description of the following figures, in which the same parts arelabelled with the same reference number.

The drawings show:

FIG. 1 a dental implant, which forms a part of a system according to theinvention,

FIG. 2 a system according to the invention in accordance with a firstembodiment,

FIG. 3 a replacement ring which is used in the system according to theinvention of

FIG. 2, in a sectional view (top) and in plan view (bottom),

FIG. 4 a section through a replacement ring of a system according to theinvention in accordance with a second embodiment,

FIG. 5 a section through a replacement ring of a system according to theinvention in accordance with a third embodiment,

FIG. 6 an implant for an external implant-abutment connection (FIG. 6a )and an implant for an internal implant-abutment connection (FIG. 6b ),and

FIG. 7 a dental implant according to the invention, in which theprosthesis axis and the implant axis are inclined towards each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a dental implant 10 that is suitable for use in a systemaccording to the invention and is attached to an abutment 12 using ascrew 14. The dental implant 10 comprises an insertion portion 16, whichin turn comprises a coronal region 18 and an apical region 20. At thecoronal end of the insertion portion 16 a shoulder 22 is located, fromwhich an external cone 24 extends in the coronal direction along aprosthesis axis P. In the implant 10 of FIG. 1 the prosthesis axis Pcoincides with an implant axis I, which runs along the insertion portion16 through the centre thereof. Recesses 26 are provided on the side ofthe external cone 24, which are used to secure a rotational position ofthe abutment 12.

When providing a patient with the implant 10, the insertion portion 16is inserted into the jaw bone of the patient, wherein the insertionportion 16 is screwed into the bone by means of a thread (not shown). Asshown in FIG. 1, the apical region 20 can taper in the apical direction(“downwards” in FIG. 1). As can be seen from FIG. 1, in the coronalregion 18 the outer peripheral surface 26 of the dental implant 10 isinclined with respect to the implant axis I by the angle γ, so that thecoronal region 18 tapers in the coronal direction (“upwards” in FIG. 1).This tapering in the coronal direction allows the apposition of athicker layer of bone onto the implant at the coronal end of theinsertion portion 16, which enables the incidence of peri-implantitis tobe avoided. By way of deviation from the not true-to-scale drawing ofFIG. 1, the angle γ can have a value of 45°, which facilitates aparticularly good bone augmentation. It is explained below that in somesections an angle of γ=1.5° can also be advantageous.

The cone angle β in a preferred embodiment is 8°. This means that thetapering connection between the correspondingly shaped abutment 12 andthe external cone 24 is self-locking, i.e. on account of a frictionalconnection is secured against twisting, and to a certain extent againstbeing pulled apart. Such a tapered connection with a cone angle β ofless than 11° is self-locking and also bacteria-proof, so that the riskof bacteria accumulation between the abutment 12 and the implant 10 islow.

Preferably, the external cone 24 has a circular cross-section in a cutperpendicular to the prosthesis axis P. In contrast to a cross-sectionwith a hexagonal profile or polygonal profile, the circular crosssection avoids any play, for example when a rotational force acts on theabutment 12. This allows the anti-bacterial quality of theimplant-abutment connection to be further improved and also prevents thescrew 14 from becoming loose over time.

The shoulder 22 offers the advantage that, on the one hand enough spaceis available laterally, that is to say perpendicular to the implant axisI, to remove material from the implant 10 in the coronal region 18 andthus at the same time to remove a contaminated surface in the coronalregion 18. On the other hand, due to the shoulder 22 a space existsbetween the apical end of the abutment 12 and the surrounding bone,which is adsorbed at the side of the peripheral surface of the implant26. Due to this offset (so-called platform switching), the risk ofperi-implantitis can be further reduced, because due to the shoulder 22any bacterial colonization occurring in the implant-abutment connectiondoes not directly adjoin the surrounding bone tissue and the treatedimplant surface for bone apposition.

In a preferred embodiment, the external cone 24 has a length of between1.5 mm and 3.5 mm, for example 2.5 mm, the coronal region 18 has anextension of between 2 mm and 4 mm, for example, 3 mm, in the directionof the implant axis I and the external cone 24 has a diameter between1.7 mm and 3.7 mm, for example, 2.7 mm, at the apical end at the levelof the shoulder 22. The width B of the shoulder is 22 in a preferredembodiment is between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, for example, 1.5 mm.

In all embodiments according to the invention the implant 10 and/or thereplacement ring 28 can be made of titanium.

FIG. 2 shows a system according to the invention in accordance with afirst embodiment with the implant 10 of FIG. 1 and a replacement ring28. FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the replacement ring 28along a central axis M of the replacement ring. From FIG. 2 it can beseen that both the outer peripheral surface 30 of the replacement ring28 and the inner peripheral surface 32 of the of the replacement ring 28are inclined with respect to the central axis M, namely at an angle δ orβ. This reduces both the outer and the inner diameter of the replacementring 28 in the direction of a coronal side 34 of the replacement ring28, which is located opposite to an apical side 36 of the replacementring 28.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the region of material of the implant 10 tobe replaced is shown hatched. It is important to note that, as in FIG.1, the representation of the implant 10 in FIG. 2 is a longitudinalsection through the implant along the implant axis I. The implant 10 canbe rotationally symmetrical or substantially rotationally symmetricalabout the implant axis I and the prosthesis axis P. A coronal region 18which is rotationally symmetrical about the prosthesis axis P, offersthe advantage that it can be easily milled using a milling cutter thatrotates about the prosthesis axis P.

After the subtractive machining of the dental implant 10 the outerperipheral surface 38 of the dental implant 10 in the coronal region 18preferably has a shape or contour that conforms to the inner peripheralsurface 32 of the associated replacement ring 38. This makes it possiblewith the preferred inclination of the peripheral surfaces 38 and 32 withrespect to the implant axis I, or to the central axis M, to mount thereplacement ring 28 on to the subtractively machined implant 10 in thecoronal to apical direction. With an angle of 1.5° between theperipheral surfaces 38, 32 and the respective axes I, M, the connectionbetween the subtractively machined implant and the mounted replacementring 28 can be force-fitting or friction-fitting, in such a way that anadditional screw connection is not required.

The shape and the contour of the outer peripheral surface 30 of thereplacement ring can conform to the shape and the contour of theperipheral surface 26 of the unmachined implant 10, but this is notabsolutely required.

In order to restore the condition of the bacteria-free, unmachinedimplant 10 after the insertion, the replacement ring 28 preferably hasan outer surface whose structure and texture correspond to that of theoriginal implant surface.

At the top of FIG. 3 the replacement ring 28 of the system of FIG. 2 isagain represented as a longitudinal section along the central axis M. Atthe bottom of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a plan view of the replacement ring 28is shown along the central axis M. Even if in the embodiment of FIG. 3the cross-sections through the peripheral lines 32 and 30 of thereplacement ring 28 are both circular, it is important to note that thecross-sectional lines through the peripheral surfaces 32 and 30 can alsohave other closed curves, for example that of a polygonal or hexagonalprofile, or other non-symmetrical curves. The same is true for theimplant, which does not necessarily have to be rotationally symmetrical.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show replacement rings 328 and 428, which each belong to asystem according to the invention of a second embodiment and a thirdembodiment. In the replacement ring 328 of FIG. 4 the outer peripheralsurface 30 is inclined by 45° with respect to the central axis M, toenable good bone apposition and to prevent peri-implantitis. The innerperipheral surface of the 32, in a coronal and in an apical region(respectively above and below the dashed lines), is also inclined by 45°and thus parallel to the outer peripheral surface 30. In an intermediateregion the inner peripheral surface 32 is inclined by 1.5° with respectto the central axis M to facilitate a force-fitting connection, whichdoes not require a screw connection, between the correspondinglysubtractively machined implant 10 and the replacement ring 328.

In the replacement ring 428 of FIG. 5 the profile of the innerperipheral surface 32 conforms to the profile of the inner peripheralsurface 32 of the replacement ring 328 of FIG. 4. The profile of theouter peripheral surface 30 of the replacement ring 428 of FIG. 5 isparallel to the profile of the inner peripheral surface 32 of the samereplacement ring. As a result, the thickness D of the replacement ring428 is constant in the direction of the central axis M. If the profileof the peripheral surface 26 of the implant 10 corresponds to theprofile of the peripheral surface 30 of the replacement ring 428, thenthe material removal can be effected uniformly along the implant axis I,i.e. the thickness of the material region removed is constant in thedirection of the implant axis I.

In FIG. 6 the implant 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, which has an external cone24, is compared with an implant 110, which has an internal cone 40 foran internal tapered connection.

Compared to an internal tapered connection, an external taperedconnection with the cone 24 offers the advantage that the implant 10 canbe made more solid and stable than the implant 110. Because of the soliddesign of the implant 10, tensions can be avoided during the fitting ofa prosthesis tooth, in particular in the coronal region 18 of theinsertion portion 16, which can reduce the stress on the surroundingtissue. The risk of an incidence of peri-implantitis and a resultingloss of the implant can therefore be reduced by means of the externalcone 24. In addition, with the more solid implant 10 the risk of animplant fracture is also lower. There is also more material availablefor a subtractive removal, in which there is no risk that a criticalwall thickness of the implant will be undershot.

Even if the implant 10 of FIG. 6a is preferred over the implant 110 ofFIG. 6b for use within a system according to the invention, it should benoted that the implant 110 can also be part of a system according to theinvention.

FIG. 7 shows a dental implant 210 according to the invention, having anexternal cone 124 which extends along a prosthesis axis P that isinclined at an angle α with respect to the implant axis I. The angle αhas a value in the range 0°<α≦45°. When fitting a dental prosthesis itoften happens that the prosthesis axis P, which extends through thecentre of the dental prosthesis and along which the screw connection ofthe dental prosthesis is made, does not coincide with the implant axisI.

In the prior art therefore, angled abutments or adapter fittings aregenerally used, for example when fitting an implant 110, as shown inFIG. 6b . In a first step the abutment or the adapter piece is screwedtogether with the inserted implant in the direction of the implant axisI. In a second step the dental prosthesis is screwed along theprosthesis axis P which is inclined with respect to the implant axis I.

The implant 210 of FIG. 7 offers the advantage that only one screwingoperation is required, namely along the prosthesis axis P, and thesecond connection between the implant and the abutment or the connectionpart can be dispensed with, even if the prosthesis axis P and theimplant axis I are divergent. This makes it possible to form the dentalprosthesis directly on the abutment and to cement it on the abutmenteven before the treatment session. This unit consisting of the dentalprosthesis and abutment can then be mounted on the inserted implant 210with only one screwing operation, without a cementing operation or otherconnection having to be carried out in the oral cavity of the patient,and thus reducing the risk of peri-implantitis and loss of the dentalprosthesis and implant.

Since the dental implant 210 of FIG. 7 is solid in the same way as thedental implant 10, it has the same corresponding advantages as weredescribed earlier in relation to FIG. 6a , thus further reducing thenumber of implant losses and the losses of implant-borne dentalprostheses. The dental implant 210 can also be made from titanium, as isthe dental implant 10.

It should be pointed out that the embodiments described above are purelyexamples of the present invention, which is not limited thereto. Thepreviously described features can be meaningful in any combination. Thescope of the present invention is derived solely from the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10, 110, 210 dental implant-   12 abutment-   14 screw-   16 insertion portion-   18 coronal region-   20 apical region-   22 shoulder-   24, 124 external cone-   26 peripheral surface of the implant.-   28, 328, 428 replacement ring-   30 outer peripheral surface of the replacement ring-   32 inner peripheral surface of the replacement ring-   34 coronal side-   36 apical side-   38 peripheral surface of the implant after subtractive machining    step-   40 internal cone-   P prosthesis axis-   I implant axis-   M central axis

1. A system, comprising a dental implant having an insertion portion foranchoring in a jaw bone, and a replacement ring for replacing asubtractively removable annular material region in a coronal region ofthe insertion portion, the shape of the replacement ring beinginscribable into the shape of the dental implant in the coronal regionsuch that an inner peripheral surface of the replacement ring lieswithin the shape of the dental implant, wherein said dental implant has:an insertion portion which extends along an implant axis (I), and acoronal projection for receiving one or both of an abutment and amachining unit for intra-oral subtractive surface machining of theinsertion portion, wherein the coronal projection extends from theinsertion portion in the coronal direction and along a prosthesis axis(P), and characterized in that the prosthesis axis (P) and the implantaxis (I) are inclined towards each other at an angle α in the range0°<α≦45°.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the texture of theexternal surface of the replacement ring is the same as the texture ofthe dental implant surface in the coronal region.
 3. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the shape of the replacement ring can beinscribed into the shape of the dental implant in the coronal regionsuch that the inner peripheral surface of the replacement ring lieswithin the shape of the dental implant and that the outer peripheralsurface of the replacement ring lies on or outside the peripheralsurface of the dental implant.
 4. The system according to claim 1,wherein, in some sections, the inner peripheral surface of thereplacement ring is inclined towards a central axis (M) of thereplacement ring and approaches the central axis in the direction of acoronal side of the replacement ring.
 5. The system according to claim4, wherein the inclination of some sections of the inner peripheralsurface of the replacement ring towards the central axis is between 0.5°and 2.5°.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein, in at least somesections, the peripheral surface of the dental implant in the coronalregion is inclined towards an implant axis (I) and approaches theimplant axis (I) in the direction of a coronal end of the insertionportion.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the inclination ofthe peripheral surface in the coronal region in some sections is between35° and 55°.
 8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the inclinationof the peripheral surface of the dental implant in the coronal region insome sections is between 0° and 5°.
 9. The system according to claim 1,wherein, in at least some sections, the outer peripheral surface of thereplacement ring is inclined towards a central axis (M) of thereplacement ring and approaches the central axis in the direction of acoronal side of the replacement ring.
 10. The system according to claim9, wherein the inclination of some sections of the outer peripheralsurface of the replacement ring is between 35° and 55°.
 11. The systemaccording to claim 9, wherein the dental implant comprises a coronalprojection, which extends from the insertion portion in the coronaldirection and which is used for receiving an abutment and/or forreceiving a machining unit for the intra-oral subtractive machining ofthe dental implant.
 12. A system, comprising a dental implant having aninsertion portion for anchoring in a jaw bone which extends from theinsertion portion in the coronal direction and which is used forreceiving an abutment and/or for receiving a machining unit for theintra-oral subtractive machining of the dental implant, and areplacement abutment, which can be mounted in a positive fitting manneronto the coronal projection, after the latter has been lengthened bysubtractive removal of dental implant material, but which cannot bemounted in a positive fitting manner onto the un-lengthened coronalprojection.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the coronalprojection extends in the direction of a prosthesis axis (P), which isinclined with respect to the implant axis of the insertion portion, atan angle α in the range 0°<α≦45°.
 14. The system according to claim 12,wherein the coronal projection and the insertion section are integrallyconnected.
 15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the coronalprojection is conical and has a cone angle of less than 11°.
 16. Thesystem according to claim 12, wherein, in at least some sections, thecoronal projection has a circular or elliptical cross section.
 17. Thesystem according to claim 12, wherein the dental implant has a shoulderat the coronal end of the insertion portion.
 18. The system according toclaim 12, wherein the replacement abutment comprises an internal thread,so that the replacement abutment can be screwed onto the dental implantusing a corresponding external thread formed on the dental implant. 19.The system according to claim 12, which also comprises a device for theintra-oral subtractive machining of the inserted dental implant, saiddevice comprising: a connection with which the device can be connectedto the implant in side the oral cavity of a patient, and a subtractivemachining unit, in particular a milling machine, with which dentalimplant material can be removed from the surface of the coronal region.20. (canceled)
 21. The system according to claim 1, wherein the coronalprojection and the insertion section are integrally connected.
 22. Thesystem according to any one of claim 1, wherein the coronal projectionis conical and has a cone angle of less than 11°.
 23. The systemaccording to any one of claim 1, wherein, in at least some sections, thecoronal projection have a circular or elliptical cross section.
 24. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the dental implant has a shoulderat the coronal end of the insertion portion.
 25. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the replacement ring or the replacement abutmentcomprises an internal thread so that the replacement ring or replacementabutment can be screwed onto the dental implant using a correspondingexternal thread formed on the dental implant.
 26. A system, comprising adental implant having an insertion portion for anchoring in a jaw bone,and a replacement ring for replacing a subtractively removable annularmaterial region in a coronal region of the insertion portion, the shapeof the replacement ring being, at least to some extent, inscribable intothe shape of the dental implant in the coronal region, such that aninner peripheral surface of the replacement ring lies within the shapeof the dental implant, wherein the dental implant comprises a coronalprojection, which extends from the insertion portion in the coronaldirection and which is used for receiving one or both of an abutment anda machining unit for the intra-oral subtractive machining of the dentalimplant, wherein the coronal projection and the insertion section areintegrally connected.
 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the dentalimplant has a shoulder at the coronal end of the insertion portion.